Cleaning for Health Toolkit

Keeping schools clean is a tough job. Schools are densely occupied, used for many hours each day, and foot traffic brings in and stirs up dirt and dust. Commercial cleaning chemicals can add to indoor air pollution and may create health hazards to both cleaning staff and students, especially those with asthma. We can have schools that are clean and also promote student, staff, visitor and environmental health.

Green cleaning is the use of environmentally-friendly materials and practices to clean for the health of building occupants and the environment. According to the Healthy Schools Campaign, 56 million students and 6 million staff are in schools daily. In schools, the quality of the indoor air is often worse than that of outdoor air. A good cleaning program can help improve air quality and reduce health problems in schools.

All schools are required to use green cleaning products under Maryland state law and and City Schools' Sustainbility Policy and Administrative Regulation. This page provides resources and tools for school leaders, staff and contract custodians, and partners.